A symmetric top of unit mass moves under the action of gravity. The Lagrangian is given by
L=21I1(θ˙2+ϕ˙2sin2θ)+21I3(ψ˙+ϕ˙cosθ)2−glcosθ
where the generalized coordinates are the Euler angles (θ,ϕ,ψ), the principal moments of inertia are I1 and I3 and the distance from the centre of gravity of the top to the origin is l.
Show that ω3=ψ˙+ϕ˙cosθ and pϕ=I1ϕ˙sin2θ+I3ω3cosθ are constants of the motion. Show further that, when pϕ=I3ω3, with ω3>0, the equation of motion for θ is
dt2d2θ=I1glsinθ(1−4I1glcos4(θ/2)I32ω32)
Find the possible equilibrium values of θ in the two cases:
(i) I32ω32>4I1gl,
(ii) I32ω32<4I1gl.
By considering linear perturbations in the neighbourhoods of the equilibria in each case, find which are unstable and give expressions for the periods of small oscillations about the stable equilibria.